There won’t be a more deserving winner of Saturday night’s Group 2 Rosewood And District Community Bank Ipswich Auction Series (520m) than Don Massey.
The trainer, based in the Ipswich suburb of Moores Pocket, has consistent greyhound Magical Yessam jumping from box six in the cup decider.
Massey has only recently returned to training after having most of his stomach removed midway through 2015 after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour.
The 76-year-old, who has been training for about 55 years, said mentoring greyhounds was the perfect health tonic.
“I think having greyhounds is a big factor in my health improvements,” he said.
“If I didn’t have them I would be sitting in the lounge doing nothing. If you’re a greyhound person, I think you’re a greyhound person for life.
“I haven’t stopped enjoying racing or lost my interest – it’s my life.”
Magical Yessam has been an impressive performer in the series so far, scoring a 31.08 win in his heat before improving with a 30.58 semi-final success.
He has placed once in four previous starts from box six and will likely face tough opposition from Vegas Bound (box three) – an outstanding 30.35 winner last week.
“It’s going to be tough,” Massey said.
“Statistically, box six is very hard to win from and I have speed greyhounds on my inside and outside. For me, it’s between mine, Vegas Bound and Royal Prize in box seven, who is one of Sandra Hunt’s super greyhounds.
“Vegas Bound is an outstanding greyhound and from that box he’ll be hard to stop. Having said that, if mine jumps how he can he can put six lengths on them as he’s such a strong greyhound.”
Magical Yessam, who has won seven of his last 10 starts to Ipswich, is Massey’s only greyhound in work at the moment but he has scored plenty of notable success over the years.
“I know a few years back I had one of the top strike rates going in Queensland,” he said.
“I wasn’t the best trainer but I was lucky, which wasn’t a bad substitute. My wife Lyn has put up with a lot from me over the last 50 years so I’d love to win this one for her.
“Magical Yessam is a good all-round greyhound – I think he’s the second-best greyhound in this race – and I reckon I’ve got a chance.”
For Ipswich Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 2 Rosewood And District Community Bank Ipswich Gold Cup (520m) Box Draw: 1. Winsmit 2. Under Advice 3. Vegas Bound 4. Hypnotized 5. Magic Beau 6. Magical Yessam
7. Royal Prize 8. Legacy Chief. Reserves: 9. Master Corsair 10. Gold Total
